After joining Stevenage Borough from Aylesbury United, Paul Barrowcliff quickly established himself as the heartbeat of the Boro' midfield as the team stormed to the GM Vauxhall Conference title in 1995/6. Contributing eight goals from the middle of the park and featuring in more than 50 games that season, the midfielder was a crucial asset to Paul Fairclough.

Barrowcliff stayed with the club in the season after the title win, despite the failure to gain promotion to the Football League. It certainly wasn't a lack of interest though. When Boro' fell short of a second successive championship, the midfielder was granted the opportunity to take a step up to the League and joined Brentford.